Clean Gingersnap Cookies

A recipe I mentioned in this post as I was reflecting on the difference between our life in Korea and life in the states. These aren't terrible for your health (physical health that is, you may have to struggle to keep your sanity...) and are a suitable replacement for someone looking for that gingersnap taste without the refined sugar or butter.

Donnaven's Clean Eating Gingersnap Cookies Made in Korea

- 1/4 C coconut oil, melted
- 3/4 C honey
- 1 egg
- 3 heaping tbsp. molasses
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 C oat flour (run whole oats through food processor)
- 1/4 C coconut flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp. ginger
- 1/2 heaping tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. cloves

1. First figure out how to preheat your Easy Bake miniature oven to 175 or 180* C because that's about the closest we can get to 350* F. Because, you know, Korea. Try not to get too frustrated that the directions are in hangugeo.

2. Next, add wet ingredients, coconut oil, honey, egg, molasses, vanilla, together in a bowl and mix with a whisk. (No Kitchen Aid here, we're doing it Korea style! ...Unless you have a Kitchen Aid, than please go for it.)

3. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients, oat flour, coconut flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves. Combined with wet ingredients and mix well. The batter will be wet. Don't freak out.

4. Wait for your oven to heat up and start beeping incessantly at you. Talk to Yell at it.

5. Spoon cookie mixture onto your miniature cake pan covered in parchment paper, because alas, cookie sheets don't fit in your miniature oven. Put the cake pan in the miniature oven. Press the button to resume your oven heating because it turns off automatically when you open the door. We've made that mistake more than once. Bake for approximately seven minutes, give or take because remember, we're not right at 350*F. Remove the cookie sheet cake pan from the miniature oven. Transfer to cookie rack, if you can find a place to put it on your two and a half feet of kitchen counter space. Repeat step five until you don't ever want to bake cookies in Korea again.

PS. Don't forget that once you're done you'll have to hand wash all those dishes because dishwashers haven't been invented in Korea. Enjoy!

What's Different About Life In Korea

Today I decided to make some gingersnaps, since they are a traditional festive treat in our home around the holidays. The problem was – well, there were several problems. Since March of this year we have been doing our darnedest to eat clean. That means no refined sugars, processed foods, only food from the earth at it's whole-est form. Post on that coming soon. We're eating clean as much as we can manage without killing eat other from low blood sugar and all around hanger. Gingersnaps, as you might know, are loaded with brown sugar and white sugar. So that was an issue. But I have my ways of satisfying my sweet tooth without these processed refined sugars. Honey is a great alternative. And of course, the molasses that gingersnaps require to make them said gingery cookie. 

Anyways, as I was grinding my oat flour and measuring my spices, I sighed in frustration and the thought occurred to me: I cannot wait to have my kitchen counter space back again. Anything more than two and a half feet would be a luxury, to say the least.

Which led to this blog post. A little FYI just in case you were wondering...

What is different about life in Korea than living in the beautiful midwest, USA?

1. You take your shoes off at the door. The streets in Korea are pretty dirty and disgusting, as with any city I'd imagine, but more so here I think. Here's why: Within the first week of living in our apartment, we walked by a man urinating on someone's tire. Yeah. We've also seen blood on the sidewalk near our apartment. There is so much trash everywhere and trash areas are often very near the sidewalks, so whatever leaks or doesn't make it in the bags is all over your walking space. Yummy. Living here, you understand immediately why everyone takes off their shoes before walking into a place of residence, restaurant, or even a nicer business. I've seen shoes at the doorway of a financial institution here, something you would never see in the states. I assure you, these are not great places for sidewalk chalk drawings. Save those for... your apartment roof? Anyways, pressing on.
2. Public transportation is a must. Unless you'd rather ride your bike or walk everywhere. In Korea's icy winter or 100% humidity. No? Didn't think so. This is probably something US citizens living in major cities are more comfortable with, however for this midwest girl, it's been quite the adjustment. I definitely miss my car and the luxury that affords. There are so many comforts I miss about having your own vehicle and not breathing your neighbor's kimchi breath on the subway. Say goodbye to personal space.
3. Food. There are SO MANY places to eat in Korea. I cannot read hangugeo very well, which is the language on most signs, but I don't often see a chain of restaurants like what is so common in the states. Of course, there is your typical Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Popeyes, but there definitely isn't one on every street corner like we are used to seeing in the states. Instead, there seem to be many privately owned businesses here, and restaurants are no exception. With that comes the awesome opportunity to try many different varieties and cuisines. This is one of my favorite parts of Korea, one that I wish hubby were a little more into. Understandably, he knows what he likes and generally sticks to that. I am definitely the adventurer, but he's a good sport about it when I want to try something new. Just in our local area, we can try many varieties of traditional Korean food, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Peruvian, Indian, Turkish, and more!
4. Shopping is not relaxing. Sad day, I know. When you enter a store in the states, typically you're able to grab a cart, unload your purse and coat, and peruse the aisles to your hearts content possibly with the occasional store clerk asking if you need help finding anything. You might ask them about a current sale, but that is the extent of your interaction if you so choose. In Korea, this is not the case. Particularly with small businesses (of which there are many), store owners and associates will follow you throughout the entire store and some will even speak to you about specific items you might show the slightest interest in. You're looking at this pair of gloves? The associate will take them from you and open them for you to slip your hand inside. And then they will tell you how much they cost. Hubby and I often find ourselves immediately turned off by this approach and typically leave the establishment as soon as we have the chance without buying a thing. If I were to have the opportunity to shop without being bothered, I have a feeling my wallet might be a little lighter. Maybe that's a good thing? 
5. There are people everywhere. Do you remember that scene in Home Alone where the family is in the airport running to catch their plane? Everyone is literally running at a full sprint to get to the gate and there couldn't be more people in their way. Korea is kind of like that on the crowded scale. Subways, airports and shopping malls are suffocating at times. No, almost always. For a wide open spaces, drive an hour to the city girl like me, that's not much room to breath. Did I say I was having trouble breathing over here? Have I mentioned that yet? Hehe... In Korea you're going to get shoved, a lot. By everyone. So imagine the discomfort, would ya?

On the bright side (there are a couple, I assure you), I see my husband every day, and that's what makes it all worth it. But in all seriousness you stateside residence, savor your personal space, clean air, and those solo shopping trips where you hardly have to talk to anyone and can drive home in your car rocking out to your favorite radio stations. I cannot wait for those days again.

Ya feel me?

Pyeongtaek Korean-American Cultural Friendship Festival

Every year, Pyeongtaek hosts a weekend long Korean-American Cultural Friendship Festival to help foster a positive relationship between the Koreans and Americans who live in the area. Osan Air Base is located right across the street from the festival, so many American military and their families take advantage of the street fair. There is plenty of entertainment, including a large stage with ongoing performances throughout the weekend, Korean and American street food, and various Korean vendors, as well as many photo opportunities! Families, both American and Korean, come out to enjoy the nice weather this time of year and experience this unique combination of culture and people.

 

You'll find many types of food at the festival. But if you can't find anything to fill your stomach on the street, there are plenty of restaurants in the Songtan Entertainment District ("the SED"), including Mexican, Italian, Peruvian, Indian, and even a McDonalds.

Entertainment unlike anything I've ever seen before. These professional performers were playing and dancing tirelessly throughout the weekend. I could not believe their stamina! It was very entertaining!

Advertising a local workout studio (I think!). After the performance, they proceeded to give away coupons to the audience for a workout class.

If you stop by for a Turkish ice cream cone, be prepared for an experience! This guy is excellent at the art of deception and will have you giggling foolishly as you try to grab the ice cream cone from him! From what I hear, the treat is worth the trouble! 

Traditional Korean hanbok worn by performers during the evening ceremony; it was fascinating watching them spin and dance.

If you're in the area during this time, I highly encourage you to check out this festival! It's a great way to immerse yourself in Korean festival culture and you'll likely find that the Korean people do festivals much the same as Americans! The map below will put you right in the middle of the festival, there is parking available on the streets surrounding the area, as well as a parking garage nearby. 

The Details

• What: Pyeongtaek Korean American Cultural Friendship Festival 
• When: October 15-16, 2016, things start to pick up around 10am
• Where: Outside Osan Air Base main gate
•  317-14 Sinjang 2(i)-dong, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

SED Walk Through – Pyeongtaek, South Korea

When talking to our friends and family, Ethan and I will mention walking through the SED or a shop on the SED. This is a shopping district about 3 minutes away from our apartment here in Pyeongtaek. We walk through it pretty regularly and it's on the way to the main gate at Osan AB.

Below is a video of our walk from the main gate through the SED on a rainy Sunday afternoon. As you can see, it's relatively active, despite the weather.

I apologize in advance for the shaky video. Hopefully you don't get motion sick!

Osan Air Power Day - Our First Military Outing in Korea

**Warning, many photos of airplanes and our smiling faces ahead!**

Osan Air Base, the military installation where Ethan is stationed as a crew chief on the A-10 Thunderbolt II, hosted a free public event on September 24th and 25th for Americans and Koreans alike. There were many booths and static jets to see, as well as performances by experienced pilots demonstrating the incredible abilities of the joint USAF and ROKAF.

Luckily, Ethan and I were able to enjoy the show together, as he has been off a total of four days since my arrival at the beginning of the month. There’s a lot of work to do in Korea. 

We really had fun together photographing each other, watching the shows, and holding hands. The little things really count when you don’t get a lot of time with your other half. 

I could not believe how many people were at the show! Ethan said they’d estimated a total of about 70,000 spectators over the weekend. I didn’t believe it when he told me, but after seeing the crowd on Saturday, I believe 70,000 is a likely number.

What was really interesting, as an American and a foreigner here, is how seriously the Koreans take sun exposure, much more so than we do in the states. Under every structure were Korean nationals sitting in the shade, and by every structure, that’s including the static jets and helicopters. It was quite the site and was certainly not something you’d see people doing at an air show in the states. Koreans also use umbrellas often and the air show was no exception, if they didn’t have an umbrella, they wore a hat or people would cover their faces with newspaper or fabric. I’ll admit, the sun was extremely intense and toward the end, I was feeling a little sick from being in it so much. I did walk away with a nice red spot on my chest, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy that in the coming day or two.

Of course, we had to take a photo or two by the F-4, the airframe that Ethan's dad worked on in the Marines. It's cool to see that and imagine him working on it like Ethan does the A-10.

At Osan, there are American and Korean pilots and military members working together. It's so interesting to be right in the middle of a real life military alliance.

The Black Eagles performed at the finale of the show. They were in the air for almost an entire half hour and their aerial acrobatics are astonishing. I could not believe just how fast and extreme some of the maneuvers were.

Thank you, dear husband, for this wonderful portrait of me. 

Of course, we couldn't go to the air show without getting photos of our favorite aircraft, the one and only A-10 Thunderbolt II. As we were standing near it, I looked at Ethan, pointed at the A-10 and said "That is the whole reason we're here." And for some reason, I can't help but love that bulky hunk of metal. 

During the air show, the A-10 participated in a search and rescue mission demonstration, teaming up with two army helicopters during which they located, identified, and rescued a downed pilot. The A-10s provided cover and overwatch for the pilot, as well as an escort for the helicopters to ensure the enemy on the ground would not have the chance to attack or capture the downed pilot.

The A-10 has many awesome capabilities and CSAR isn't always in that spotlight, so it was cool to see another side of what this airframe can do. Despite the mock environment, there was something so reassuring about watching those two A-10s "Sandy One" and "Sandy Two" circling above us, providing overwatch during the "mission". I can only imagine the comfort that sight brings a soldier on the ground in enemy territory. 

Overall, we had a great day and made good memories here in South Korea. I still can't believe we have an address here, not on American soil. It's weird and exciting and a little bit scary, all at the same time. Please continue to pray for us, for direction during our time here, for safety, and for us to find a place to fellowship and build relationships. 

I still desire to make the most of our time here, I hope we can do that.